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Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast Bake

Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast Bake
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Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast Bake is a rich and creamy breakfast casserole that combines the classic custardy texture of French toast with the decadent caramelized sugar crust of crème brûlée. Prepared the night before and baked until golden, this dish offers a warm, comforting, and indulgent start to your day—perfect for family brunches or special occasions with a silky, satisfying, and elegant flavor profile.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread

  • 6–8 thick slices brioche or challah bread, cut into chunks

Custard Mixture

  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Brûlée Topping

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, for sprinkling on top

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Bread: Cut your brioche or challah slices into thick chunks or cubes and arrange them evenly in a buttered baking dish. Ensure the bread fills the dish but remains loosely packed to soak up the custard thoroughly.
  2. Make the Custard Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon (if using), and salt until fully combined and smooth, creating a rich and creamy custard base.
  3. Soak the Bread: Pour the custard evenly over the bread pieces, pressing gently so all the bread absorbs the liquid. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to allow the custard to soak deeply and flavors to meld.
  4. Add the Brûlée Topping: The next morning, sprinkle a generous, even layer of brown sugar over the soaked bread. This sugar will caramelize into the signature crispy crust during baking, replicating the crème brûlée effect perfectly.
  5. Bake Until Golden and Bubbling: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 45-55 minutes until the custard is set and the sugar topping is caramelized into a crisp, golden crust. Let it cool for 10-15 minutes before serving to help it set and make slicing easier.

Notes

  • Use day-old brioche or challah bread for optimal soaking without becoming mushy.
  • Chilling the custard-soaked bread overnight is key to developing deep flavor and creamy texture.
  • For an authentic brûlée crust, caramelize the sugar topping using a kitchen torch or briefly broil at the end.
  • Let the bake rest 10-15 minutes before serving to allow it to set fully.
  • Heavy cream adds crucial richness to the custard; omitting it will reduce creaminess.

Nutrition

Keywords: French toast bake, crème brûlée, breakfast casserole, overnight French toast, brunch recipe, custard bake, caramelized sugar topping

Find it online: https://ninagourmet.com/overnight-crme-brle-french-toast-bake/